Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations
Minutes of the Meeting of September 15, 2014
Office of the Chief State's Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
In attendance: Maureen Platt, Chair; Candida Fusco, Jim Kerry, Joy Reho, Valina Carpenter, Laura Cordes, Nikki Seymour, Jillian Gilchrest, Michelle Noehren and Monica Ponzella.
The Meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
The Minutes from the June 15, 2014, meeting were read and approved.
The report from the Bill Paying Subcommittee was deferred to the December meeting.
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) report was deferred to the December meeting.
Candida Fusco discussed the issue of if the results of the CT 100 exam should be included in the hospital electronic record and, if so, under what circumstances. The importance of victim privacy was discussed and it was decided that the matter should be further discussed at the December meeting.
It was agreed that the Commission survey regarding retention of sexual assault kits by law enforcement agencies should be conducted as soon as possible. The format of the survey was discussed. Maureen Platt agreed to discuss the matter with the State’s Attorneys on September 22, 2014.
It was agreed that the questions should read as follows:
- Enter the total number of all untested sexual assault evidence collection kits that are currently being held you your police department.
- How many of this total number of kits listed in question 1 are "anonymous" or "Jane Doe" kits?
- How many of this total number of kits listed in question 1 have been held at your department for over one year but less than five years?
- How many of this total number of kits listed in question 1 have been held by your department for over 5 years?
The hospital training was discussed. It was agreed that the previously discussed dates for training may have to be changed in order to assure a high turnout.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.